Handbag thief ruins family’s fun resort trip

A family of four on a day trip to Blackpool had to catch four trains home only to drive back to the resort after a thief stole a bag with their car keys in.

Louise Monaghan, 35, was with her husband and two children when her handbag was stolen as they ate at the McDonald’s on the Promenade.

It was the most expensive McDonald’s trip ever

She said it was the family’s first stop – and the theft meant they never even got to go to the Pleasure Beach as planned.

The 35-year-old, from the Wirral, said: “It was the most expensive McDonald’s trip ever.

“I just want the thief to get caught – they could do it to someone else.”

Police said CCTV footage shows a woman pick up the bag, which she had left with her husband and children while she went to the toilet, and hide it in a shopping trolley before leaving the fast food restaurant.

Officers said the bag and its contents, which included car keys, an iPhone and sunglasses, were worth around £390.

Mrs Monaghan added: “It’s just disgusting that someone would do this.

“We ended up getting on four trains to get home and driving all the way back because the car keys were in that bag.”

Police are investigating the theft, which happened at around 1pm on August 26, and today issued a description of the suspect.

She is thought to be in her 20s or 30s, of medium build, with long brown hair that was tied in a ponytail. She wore a brown leather jacket, blue jeans and trainers and was with several children.

Call 101 with information.

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